Sonos BU150
The basics
The Sonos Bundle 150 is the latest addition o the Sonos home audio system family. It is a wireless audio system that streams music from home computers or MP3 players. Sonos then plays the Wi-Fi streamed music in any room it is set up. The Sonos Bundle 150 is made up of the ZonePlayer 120 and the ZonePlayer 90.
The good
The Sonos has been sending a stream down from its lofty perch onto contemporaries' heads for years, but can it still cut it? Yes, is the short answer. The best way to set up a Sonos multi-room system is to use your PC or Mac as a music server, spreading the Sonos ZonePlayers around your house. A remote equipped with a scroll wheel and colour display lets you browse through your library, build playlists and adjust the volume, with consummate ease. Sound quality is also excellent, and the fact you can add up to 32 ZonePlayers means every room can be hi-fied up – from the gazebo to the downstairs loo.
The bad
Saying its not simple to set up is an understatement, especially as there are two types of ZonePlayer – one with and one without a buil-in amp. You also need to install the Sonos Desktop Controller software on your computer, to build the library and access web radio stations. Boring!
The bottom line
Still one of the most reliable, most flexible and well-built music streamers available. It's not cheap, but this is the granddaddy of all music streamers.
User comments (5)
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Flatron03 October 2009
Fantastic piecew of kit, not cheap for mulitple rooms but is simple to set up and use . I now have it set up in 5 rooms and on the patio. Only issue has been around a conflict with my N router and Sonos, if using a G router you will have no issues. Internet radio and napster gives a massive range of music you can play, with different music in each room if you wish and can be used as an alarm! Had Sonos for about 18 months and still amazed how good it is. Hope this helps
Report as inappropriateplymjack13 October 2009
For a whole house setup its not so expensive. Its fantastic and the setup is so so easy, it is the BEST I have ever encountered. (and I work in IT!) The itouch remote software is equally amazing. The Napster music service is awesome. I have 4 units, 2 remotes covering the whole house. I love IT. I have tried other options and nothing comes close, and nothing else is worth bothering with!
Report as inappropriateWayne29 November 2009
Sonos is fantastic. Simple to set up, even easier to use. Stream from PC/ Server or NAS, or even better use a Napster subscription and stream from over 8 Million tracks online. Old style controller works fine, but the new touch screen looks great. Alternatively use i-pod touch or i-phone. 5* device
Report as inappropriaterustydiver30 January 2010
Just done a 3 zone setup in the house with 2 x S5 speakers, Zoneplayer 90 and the bridge plugged into the router. Ipod touch used as an controller. Fantastic piece of kit streams music and more. Got the x box 360 connected to it for xbox live, view my photos from the pc on the lounge tv and it can stream the tv sound all over the house. Cant wait to add more zones.
Report as inappropriateMartin07 February 2010
Have pined for a sonos system for ages ever since a mate set up his playstation as his media hub. Well I'm glad I waited it is magic! Being able to access all of my music from a computer upstairs feels very cutting edge...I'm using the Vortexbox free media software which seems awesome but took a while to get setup correctly. It's worth remembering that sonos can get hundred's if not thousands of internet radio stations aswell as last fm etc. Pricey but worth it - got the whole SONOS 150 bundle from richer sounds for £499. Shop around.
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